La Tête des Rondeaux from La Trouche

A circular route through the forest almost entirely on footpaths. Dotted with several sandstone outcrops, including the impressive cliffs of the Grande Basse and the Tête des Rondeaux. Pine, birch, spruce and beech trees abound. Plenty of blueberries in the summer months. A classic route for this part of the Vosges, but always just as enjoyable, especially on the footpaths.

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 7.86 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 05 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 305 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 305 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 570 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 301 m

Description of the walk

The start and finish are at the large car park located at the exit of the hamlet of La Trouche, 4 km north-east of Raon-l'Étape on the D392, heading towards the Col du Donon.

(S/E) To the north-east of the car park, take the forest path running alongside the D392: marked with Yellow Rings and Blue Rings. Please note: the route has been slightly altered compared to the IGN map. Follow the Yellow Ring markings towards the Rocher du Pilier. After two sharp 180° turns, after 800 m you will reach a fairly flat path heading south-west.

(1) Follow this path for a good kilometre until you reach a junction of four paths.

(2) Take the path on the far left towards Rocher du Pilier: Yellow Ring markings. Halfway along, cross a track and continue straight ahead to reach Rocher du Pilier: you can walk around it.

(3) Continue along the path for 1 km to reach a junction with numerous paths and signposts.

(4) Take the path on the left, continuing to follow the same markings. Pass the Roches Rondes (553 m) and cross a junction of paths to reach the unassuming Roche de Schache.

(5) Turn 180° to the right onto a small, gently descending path signposted Tête des Rondeaux (among others) and marked with a Green Ring. Follow this somewhat winding path for about 1 km, running alongside the impressive walls of tall pink sandstone rocks: the Rocher de Grande Basse and the Roche des Rondeaux. This section ends with a short climb featuring a hairpin bend, leading to a junction on the Tête des Rondeaux plateau.

(6) Turn left, following the Blue Diamond markings towards the Col de Croix Collé and the Tête de Vénival. Just after a viewpoint over the Plaine valley and Raon-l'Étape (complete with a bench), head down to a five-way junction at the unassuming Col de Croix Collé.

(7) Take the path opposite and, very quickly, take a downhill path marked with a Yellow Ring on the right. Cross a forest track and rejoin the path opposite after turning 180°. Reach the junction of the four paths you passed on the way up.

(2) Take the path on the left. Descend to the bend in a wide forest track and take it to the right to make a gentle descent back to the car park where you started (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 301 m - Car park - Plaine (rivière)
  2. 1 : km 0.67 - alt. 368 m - Junction with flat path, on the right
  3. 2 : km 1.73 - alt. 407 m - Junction of the two circular loops
  4. 3 : km 2.32 - alt. 506 m - Rocher du Pilier
  5. 4 : km 3.1 - alt. 558 m - Crossroads of paths, turn left
  6. 5 : km 3.5 - alt. 559 m - Roche de Schache
  7. 6 : km 4.78 - alt. 557 m - Flat section, to the left - Tête des Rondeaux (Raon-l'Étape)
  8. 7 : km 5.37 - alt. 520 m - Crossroads of five paths - Col de Croix Collé (521m)
  9. S/E : km 7.86 - alt. 301 m - Car park

Worth a visit

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